- Crowd Funding -
Case Study: Whiz! Bam! Pow!
“Whiz!Bam!Pow!” is a the most action-packed title of all time. In 2010, Whiz!Bam!Pow! aimed to create an accessible line of stories by bringing comics back to escapist entertainment and creating an ever-evolving universe around that. Tyler Weaver created a “transmedia” experience, and he used IndieGoGo as a tool to raise funds and awareness for his project.
Tyler Weaver has detailed pitch. It is easy to understand there are two worlds in his project. The first one is the world of the comic books and radio show, the Sentinel’s world. It’s where all the high adventure and comic book fun happen. The second one is film world, where the stories about the readers of the Sentinel’s adventures exist; a more character-driven, traditional film narrative, with an almost “documentary” feel. (Whiz!Bam!Pow! IndieGoGo, 2010) In assition, Tyler described what he need and what the donator can get. The budget is $15,000, which covers the production costs for the comic book, the radio shows, especially the short film, and to hire a web/app developer to help us build the means to get this project out to you in digital form. (Whiz!Bam!Pow! IndieGoGo, 2010) In addition, he also said
Tyler has done a really good job in the project promotion in IndieGoGo, Tyler says
“Crowdfunding is just that - funding by crowd (I suppose audience-funding is a better, if less catchy term). Audience members can engage with a project at the earliest stage possible - from the funding stage - and be a part of the production, for any monetary amount.” (Montgomery, 2010)
In such situation, Tyler has been initiative to donate comic books which is a good way to let donators take an active part in the activity. Tyler wrote the campaign discription in IndieGoGo, said “For every $1,000 raised on this campaign, Tyler is going to donate 100 comic books from his personal collection to the Ohio-based Comic Book connection Initiative, which donates comics to kids at local homeless shelters, food pantries, hospitals, and after-school programs for economically depressed areas. When we hit the $15,000 goal, Tyler (and friends) are going to donate their entire comic book collections to the CBCI.” (Whiz!Bam!Pow! IndieGoGo, 2010)
When India journalist Biagio interviewed Tyler, “why you chose IndieGoGo over Kickstarter to raise money for your project.” Tyler answered "because IndieGoGo offers the “keep what you earn” model, it was perfect for the transmedia aspect of this project. We’re already putting the comic book into production, and that’s not going anywhere".(Biagio, 2010)
Biagio asked What advice he has for independent promoter considering the IndieGoGo versus Kickstarter debate? Tyler points out his opinion:
“Pick the platform based on the individual needs of your project – not the prevailing winds of popularity. It’s the project, the content, the people behind it, and your own willingness to push yourself further than you ever have that makes or breaks a campaign. Let me make this crystal clear – you have to be prepared, irregardless of the platform you choose – for the roller coaster you’re about to embark on. You will experience the highest highs and the lowest lows (sometimes within one click of each other). Get used to failing, because it’s going to happen a lot. What separates you from the rest is your ability to get back up and keep on keeping on.” (Biagio, 2010)
Now Tyler and his team is making full use the funding that they get from IndieGoGo to produce their project.
Tyler Weaver has detailed pitch. It is easy to understand there are two worlds in his project. The first one is the world of the comic books and radio show, the Sentinel’s world. It’s where all the high adventure and comic book fun happen. The second one is film world, where the stories about the readers of the Sentinel’s adventures exist; a more character-driven, traditional film narrative, with an almost “documentary” feel. (Whiz!Bam!Pow! IndieGoGo, 2010) In assition, Tyler described what he need and what the donator can get. The budget is $15,000, which covers the production costs for the comic book, the radio shows, especially the short film, and to hire a web/app developer to help us build the means to get this project out to you in digital form. (Whiz!Bam!Pow! IndieGoGo, 2010) In addition, he also said
Tyler has done a really good job in the project promotion in IndieGoGo, Tyler says
“Crowdfunding is just that - funding by crowd (I suppose audience-funding is a better, if less catchy term). Audience members can engage with a project at the earliest stage possible - from the funding stage - and be a part of the production, for any monetary amount.” (Montgomery, 2010)
In such situation, Tyler has been initiative to donate comic books which is a good way to let donators take an active part in the activity. Tyler wrote the campaign discription in IndieGoGo, said “For every $1,000 raised on this campaign, Tyler is going to donate 100 comic books from his personal collection to the Ohio-based Comic Book connection Initiative, which donates comics to kids at local homeless shelters, food pantries, hospitals, and after-school programs for economically depressed areas. When we hit the $15,000 goal, Tyler (and friends) are going to donate their entire comic book collections to the CBCI.” (Whiz!Bam!Pow! IndieGoGo, 2010)
When India journalist Biagio interviewed Tyler, “why you chose IndieGoGo over Kickstarter to raise money for your project.” Tyler answered "because IndieGoGo offers the “keep what you earn” model, it was perfect for the transmedia aspect of this project. We’re already putting the comic book into production, and that’s not going anywhere".(Biagio, 2010)
Biagio asked What advice he has for independent promoter considering the IndieGoGo versus Kickstarter debate? Tyler points out his opinion:
“Pick the platform based on the individual needs of your project – not the prevailing winds of popularity. It’s the project, the content, the people behind it, and your own willingness to push yourself further than you ever have that makes or breaks a campaign. Let me make this crystal clear – you have to be prepared, irregardless of the platform you choose – for the roller coaster you’re about to embark on. You will experience the highest highs and the lowest lows (sometimes within one click of each other). Get used to failing, because it’s going to happen a lot. What separates you from the rest is your ability to get back up and keep on keeping on.” (Biagio, 2010)
Now Tyler and his team is making full use the funding that they get from IndieGoGo to produce their project.